Mattress filling machine



March 8, 1938. J. w, DROLL ET Ax. 2,110,359

MATTRESS FILL-ING MACHINE Filed Jan.v15, 193e e sheets-sheet 1 March 8, E938. J. w. DROLL ET A1.

MATTRESS FILLING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 8, 1938. J. w. DRoLl. Er A1.

y MATTRESS FILLING MACHINE Filed Jan. l5, 1936 6 Sheets-Shea?I 3 www March s, 193s. J. w, pRQl/ L ET AL 2,110,359

MATTRESS FILLING MACHINE Filed Jan. l5, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 @59a @lua-@17% March 8, 1938. J. DRoLL ET An.

MATTRESS FILLING MACHINE e Sheets-sheet 5 Filed Jan. 15 1936 Marh 8, 1938. J. w. DRoLL ET AL MATTRESS FILLING MACHINE Filed Jan. l5, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 wmwl Patented Mar. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MATTRESS FILLING MACHINE Waffe Application January 15, 1936, Serial No. 59,272 y 40 Claims.

The invention relates to mattress-lling machines.

The objects of the invention are to provide an improved mattress-filling machine which comprises: a series of longitudinal driven conveyormembers which are spaced apart transversely and form a bed for the filling-material and are adapted to engage and compress the filling-material and deliver it to the spout-section; a series of longitudinal transversely spaced driven conveyors for the filling-material which are transversely adjustable for filling mattresses of diierent widths; a spout-section for insertion into the mattress-casing, which is composed of longitudinal endless conveyors for delivering the lling into the casing without disarranging the compressed illing; a spout-section which is composed of longitudinal driven conveyors which are transversely adjustable for mattresses of dif- 'ferent widths; a compressor-section composed of upper and lower longitudinal driven conveyors which are both inclined relatively to the bed to uniformly compress the filling-material from above and below towards the center of the mass `to avoid disarranging the iilling-material, particularly when it includes a spring-structure or center; longitudinal driven conveyors which are transversely spaced apart and adjustable, the outvtermost of which carry the sides for holding the `material on the bed, so that when the width of the bed is .adjusted the sides will be transversely contracted and expanded with the conveyors and so that when the machine is adjusted for a narrow mattress, the sides and the outermost conveyormembers will leave the space at the sides of the machine clear for the operators accessto thelling material on the bed; longitudinal units, which are transversely adjustable and include driven conveyors for advancing the mass from the bed, for compressing the material and delivering it into the mattress; conveying elements consisting of chains which engage the filler and which are supported in channel-bars over which the filler travels; improved means for equidistantly spacing and adjusting driven conveyors for lling mattresses of different Widths; an improved construction for quickly, evenly and efficiently lling the tick or casing; and other objects which will appear from the detail description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings: Fig. l is a plan of a machine embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal (Cl. 22S-45) section. Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the conveyors of the lower compressor section. Fig. 4 is a detail side elevation of one of the longitudinal units. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the compressor and spout-sections. Fig. 6 is a section on line 6--5 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detail longitudinal section through a portion of one of the bars of the spout-section. Fig. 8 is a plan of the parts shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a transverse section on line 9 3 of Fig. 5. Fig. 10 is a transverse section illustrating the screw and mechanism for transverse adjustment of the lower conveyor members. Figs. 11 and 11a are perspectives of portions of one of the upper compressor-units. Figs. 12 and l2a are perspectives of one of the lower units. Figs. 13 and 14 are partial side elevations viewed from opposite sides respectively. Fig. 15 is a section on line l5-l5 of Fig. 5. Fig. 16 is a View illustrating the connecting members shown in Fig. l5 separated.

The invention is exemplied in a machine for lling mattresses which is carried in a framework comprising standards 23, 2|, 22, cross-plate 23, cross-bar 24 connecting legs 29, cross-bars 25, 26 connecting legs 2|, cross-bars 2l, 28 connecting legs 22, side-plates 29, 3G connecting legs 2lv and 22, and crossed-braces 3i between legs 2|! and bar 26, all rigidly secured together to form a supporting structure.

The machine comprises a conveyor-section which serves as a bed for receiving the llingmaterial, a compressor-section with upper and lower convergent conveyors and a spout-section. The receiving-section comprises a transverse series of longitudinal driven conveyor-chains 32. The compressor-section comprises a lower transverse series of longitudinal driven conveyorchains 33, which receive the filling-material from the conveyors 32, and a corresponding upper transverse series of longitudinal driven conveyorchains 63. The spout-section comprises a lower series of longitudinal endless conveyor-chains 3d and a corresponding upper series of longitudinal endless conveyor-chains 66, the upper and lower chains being adapted to enter the mattress-casing to deliver the compressed material into it.

A single carrier or support serves as a mounting for each set of longitudinally-aligned chains 32, 33, and 34. These carriers, with the conveyor-chains supported thereby, are spaced apart and adjustable transversely, so they can be spread or brought together for filling mattresses oi different widths. Each lower 4corner consists of a Channel-bar 35 for supporting and guiding the the filling-material.

upper reach of chain 32, a lower channel-bar 36 foruguiding the lower reach of chainy 32, spacing-blocks `31 between bars 35, 36, an inclined channel-bar 38 for guiding the upper reach of compressor-chain 33, an inclined lower bar 39,

`plates 40 xed to bars 35, 36, plates 4| fixed to bars 38, 39, splice-plates 42 between plates 40, 4|, a channel-bar-'43 for guiding the upper reach `of chain 34, and plates 44 between bars 43, 38,

and 39, all of which are fixedly secured together. Each chain 32 is driven by a sprocket 46 which is splined to and slidable on a transverse shaft 41 and passes around an idler 48 journaled in a bearing fixed on the under side of bar 35. Each sprocket 46 is confined between plates 48 so'it will slide transversely with its carrier. Each lower compressor-chain 33'is driven by a sprocket 49 which is splined to and slidable on a transverse shaft 50 and confined between plates 4| so the chain and sprocket will move transversely Vplates 42 to permit the delivery-section to be separated from the compressor and spout-sections in shipment of the machine. Conveyorchains 32 are omitted from the outermost carriers because they are unnecessary.

. The conveyor-chains and upper guide-bars of thelower carriers constitute al bed for retaining Side-plates 45 for retaining the filling-material in the receiving, compressing and spout-sections, are fixedly secured to the f outermost bars 35, 38, and 43, so they will be movable transversely with said bars when the carriers and conveyors are adjusted transversely for different widths of mattresses.` An attributeof this construction is that when the lower longitudinal conveyors are adjusted transversely for different widths of mattresses, these sides 45 will move inwardly with the bars on .the outermost carriers so that there will be no portion of the bed projecting beyond said sides when the bed is contracted for narrow mattresses. This makes it possible for the operator to stand close to the contracted sides and to facilitate the handling of the filling in placing it on the bed and between the sides.

The longitudinally-aligned upper conveyorchains of the spout and compressor-sections are likewise mounted in unitary carriers for transverse adjustment simultaneously with the lower conveyor-units, Each upper carrier comprises a lower channeled guide-bar 58 for the lower reach of conveyor-chain 63, an upper bar 60, bearingplates 59, 6|, between said bars, and a channelbar 62 for the upper spout conveyor-chain 66. Each upper compressor-chain 63 is driveny by a sprocket 64 which is confined between and journaled in plates 59 and is splined to and slidable on a cross-shaft 1|. Each chain 63 extends around an idler 65 which is carried between plates ||.Y Each upper spout conveyor-chain 66 is driven by a sprocket 51 which is confinedy between and journaled in plates 6| and is slidable on and splined to a cross-shaft 12, From sprocket 61, chain 66 extends under and along channel-bar 62, thence around a nose-piece 68 on thel` front end of Asaid bar and thence under an idler roller 69 journaled in plate 6|.

Side-plates 18 are fxedly secured to the carriers for the outermostv upper conveyor-units to confine the filling-material to the compressor and spout-sections, so they will be movable transversely with said carriers when the latter are adjusted for different widths of mattresses.

'I'he construction described exemplifies a bed for the filling-material, which is composed of chains and bars which are spaced apart so that the material is carried forward with a minimum of frictional resistance in its passage through the machine. It also exemplifies driven endless delivery, compressor, and spout conveyors which are mounted in, and movable with, transversely adjustable carriers for varying the operative width of the machine. It also exemplies series of longitudinal driven conveyors for successively delivering filling-material, compressing it, and discharging it into a mattress-casing.

The chains 32 and bars 35 of the receivingsection are horizontal. The lower compressorchains 33 are inclined upwardly from the point to which the chains 32 deliver the material to the lower spout-chains 34.

The upper conveyory chains 63 are correspondingly inclined downwardly `from the points where the top of themass" of material encounters them to the upper spoutchain 66. By thus inclining both the upper and lower compressor-conveyors, the filling-material will be compressed equally from the top andthe bottom to preserve the longitudinal arrangement of thel filling during its compression, and this is of importance, particularly when a spring-center is used. The upper and lower compressor-chains are driven at a slightly faster rate of travel than the chains 32 and the spout-chains 36 to compensate for their oblique movement relatively to the horizontal line of travel of the material, and so that the mass in transit through the compressor-section will be moved horizontally at thev same rate of travel as the mass in the delivery and spout-sections. This also prevents disarrangement of the filling-material during its vertical compression. For this purpose, the sprockets 41 and 64 have slightly larger pitch-diameters than the sprockets which drive the conveyor-chains 32 and the spout conveyor-chains, and the driveshafts for all of the drive-sprockets are driven at the same speed.v The compressor-chains 33 and 63 are preferably provided with lugs 33 and 63 for more effectively gripping the filler-mass as.

itis advanced and compressed between said chains.

The conveyor-chains are driven from an electric motor 13 by mechanism which comprises a belt 14 driven by the motor; pulley 15 driven by belt 14;. shaft 16 which is mounted in journals on frame-plates 38; bevel-gear 18 fixed to one end of shaft 16; bevel-gear 19 meshing with gear 18 and fixed to vertical shaft 80; gear 8| xed to shaft 88; gear 82 meshing with gear 8| and fixed to shaft 52 which carries the sprockets 5| for carries sprockets 46 for driving chains 32 of the delivery-section, is driven from shaft 50 by a sprocket 89 fixed to the latter shaft, a sprocketchain 99 and a sprocket 9| xed to one end of shaft 'l. Shaft H, which carries sprockets B4, which drive the upper compressor-chains 63, is driven by a sprocket 92, which is fixed to one end of shaft i2, a sprocket-chain 93 driven by sprocket 92 and a sprocket-wheel 94 fixed to one end of shaft il.

Shafts 52, 12, ll'i, 5t, and 'H which drive the conveyors, are driven at the same speed. The sprockets 6'! and 5i for the spout-conveyors and the sprockets 46 for the delivery conveyors are of the same size so that the conveyor-chains 32, 34, and 66 will' advance the lling material at a uniform rate of travel and sprockets 64 and 49, which `drive the inclined compressor-conveyor-chains,

are slightly larger in pitch-diameter than the sprockets for the delivery and spout-conveyors to cause the compressor-conveyors to be driven slightly faster but to advance the mass longitudinally at the same rate of travel While simultaneously compressing it vertically. This insures the vertical compression of the filler-mass and its advance through the machine at a uniform rate of travel which prevents the disarrangement of the lling and is of special importance when the filling comprises a series of springs, which would become deiiected or disarranged if the material at the top moved diierentially with respect to the material at the bottom.

The carriers for the lower chains 32, 33, and 34, with their drive-sprockets, are separately slidable on the drive-shafts 41, 59, and 52 transversely of the bed, so that transverse variation of the spacing between the carriers will correspondingly adjust the conveyor-chains and their drivesprockets. The carriers for the upper compressor and spout conveyor-chains, with their drivesprockets, are slidable on the shafts 1I, 'l2 and chains 63 and 62, with their drive-sprockets, are movable with the carriers, respectively. All of the drive sprockets for the several conveyorchains are splined to, and slidable on, their respective drive-shafts to maintain the driving relation between the shafts and the conveyorchains in their different transverse adjustments.

Mechanism for equidistantly and simultaneously adjusting the carriers for the upper and lower conveyor-chains, with their drive-sprockets, transversely to narrow the conveyor-structure of the machine, including the sides, for narrow mattresses and spreading it for wide mattresses, comprises a screw-shaft 9'! extending transversely through plates lli of the entire series of lower carriers and a screw-shaft 98 extending through the plates 6l of the entire series of upper carriers, and gearing for conjointly rotating screw-shafts 97, 98. Shaft 91 is adapted to be rotated manually, being provided with a polygonal end, so that a crank can be attached thereto. When screwshaft 91 is rotated, shaft 93 will be correspondingly rotated by a gear 99 fixed to shaft 91, a gear |00 meshing with gear 99 and fixed to a vertical shaft IEJI, a gear 503 splined to shaft Il and a gear 94 fixed to screw-shaft 98 and meshing with gear |03. Screw-shafts 9T, 98 are each provided with right and left-hand threads, which engage nuts BEES which are fixed to the outermost carriers of the upper and lower series, respectively. These shafts extend loosely through all of the intermediate carriers so that rotation of the screw-shafts 9i, S3 in one direction will shift the outermost carriers together and reverse rotation will spread them. The two centrally disposed carriers of the upper and the lower series are fixedly held against transverse movement ,by means, such as collars IE6 iixed to the driveshafts 52, 12, respectively. The groups of carriers between the central fixed carriers and the outermost carriers of the upper and lower series, which are shiftable through nuts |95 by shafts 91, 98, are each shifted for uniform spacing by a system of crossed levers. Each of these systems comprises a series of parallel levers |09 and a series of parallel levers H9 which cross, and are pivoted at their crossings to, levers |09. The end levers l IJ of each system are pivoted to an outermost carrier and the end levers m9 of the same system are pivoted to one of the central fixed carriers. A pair of intermediate levers, one from each series, is pivoted to each of the intermediate carriers, so that transverse movement of each outermost carrier will shift one entire system of crossed levers to equidistantly shift and space the intermediate carriers and conveyors mounted therein. Like systems of crossed levers are applied to the upper and lower carriers. This exemplifies means for equidistantly spacing the carriers and conveyor-chains at both sides of the longitudinal center of the machine when the transverse adjusting mechanism is operated to rotate the screw-shafts 91, 93.

Mechanism is provided for keeping the carriers and the conveyor-chains parallel in the transverse adjustment thereof and while they are set for mattresses of diierent widths. For this p-urpose, each lower carrier has a journal for a shaft Hll, which underlies the carrier. A pinion H5 is fixed to each sha t H4. All of these pinions mesh with a transverse rack IDT which has its ends fixed to the supporting frame of the machine. Each shaft i I4 is connected by a universal joint i i8 to a shaft i l@ which underlies. the carrier and is journaled in bearings l E'l mounted on the carrier. Each shaft H6 has fixed thereto a pinion I i9, which meshes with a transverse rack l2@ which extends across the machine and has its ends fixed to the supporting frame of the machine. A pinion 522 is fixed to the rear end of shaft I H5. These pinions H22 mesh with a transverse rack !23 which extends across, and is fixed to, the transverse angle-bar 2d of the supporting-frame.

A shaft E25 overlies, and is journaled'in bearings on the top of, each of the upper carriers. Each shaft 25 has aflixed thereto a pinion E26 which meshes with a transverse rack 12'! and ,a pinion 28 which meshes with a rack 29. Racks 21 and 29 have their ends fixed to the supporting-framev for the upper carriers and conveyors.

When the upper and lower carriers are adjusted transversely, as the result of rotation of screwshafts 9'?, 953 and the crossed systems of levers, pinions i l5 will be shifted bodily and rotated by the xed rack I'l to rotate shafts Hd, liti which will impart rotation to pinions H9, 822 to cause all of the lower carriers to move rectilinearly. Simultaneously, the transverse movement of the upper carriers will bodily shift pinions H25, which mesh with fixed rack i2?, so they will rotate pinions 28, which mesh with fixed rack i229, so that` the upper carriers and the conveyors mounted therein, will be adjusted rectilinearly.

The carriers for the upper compressor and spout-conveyors are vertically adjustable for spacing them from the lower carriers and conveyors for producing mattresses of different thicknesses. Drive-shafts 7|, 'H2 and screw-shaft are also iixed to said plates.

z able in the Vstandards 2|, 22 of the stationary framework which supports the lower carriers so that all ofthe upper carriers and conveyors carried by plates |02 may be unitarily raised or lowered. Mechanism for effecting this. vertical adjustment comprises a transverse shaft |35, which is rotatable by a crank and is journaled in the stationary framework and provided `with va pair of worms |36; worm-gears |31 meshing with worms |36, respectively, longitudinal shafts |38, to which gears :|31 are fixed; and pinions |39 fixed to shafts |38 and meshing with rack-teeth |48 onthe standards |3|. When the operator rotates shaft |35, plates |02 and all of the parts carried thereby, which include the upper compressor and spout-chains, the carriers therefor, and the mechanism for transversely adjusting said carriers, will be raised or lowered as desired. Gear 93, which drives the sprocket-shaft 12 through which the upper conveyor-chains are driven, is slidable on the vertical shaft with standards |3| to maintain the driving connection forv the upper conveyors in all vertical settings. Gear |03 which operates the upper screw-shaft 98 for transversely adjusting the upper carriers, is also slidable vertically with plates |02 to maintain operative relation between shaft |00 and said screw-shaft 98. This exemplies mechanism for vertically shifting the upper 'compressor and spout-conveyors and the carriers therefor for producing mattresses of different thicknesses.

'The chains for all of-the endless chain-conveyors are preferably of the roller-type and comprisellink-sides |40, cross-pins |4I, and rollers |42. The edges of the links are curved inwardly between their round end-portions so the link will enter, engage and definitely advance the mass of material and so as to avoid slippage. The Vlongitudinal channel-bars which guide the reaches of the chains which engage the filling, suchV as bars `f 35, 38, 43, 62, 'and 58 are each provided with a raised track |43 which is engaged by the rollers to hold the active reaches of the chains in their paths with 'a minimum of frictional resistancei The peripheries of the rollers are inwardly of the edges of the links so the latter will project into the material. The side flanges on said bars, where they guide the material-engaging portions of the chains, are reduced in height so the chains will project from the bars and into the filling to effectively engage it.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The operator will place the material for filling a mattress in the receiving-section so that it will be retained Von the Yconveyor-chains 32 and the bars 35 between the sides 45. A mattresscasing a will be placed over the spout-section to receive the material. When the entire material for filling a mattress `has been thus placed, the motor 13 is operated to drive the endless conveyor-chains 32, upper and lower compressorchains 33 and 63, and the spout-.chains 34, 66. The conveyor-chains 32 will feed the` material forwardly to the convergent endless compressorchains 33, 83, between which the material will be compressed from above and below, and fed forwardly at the same rate of travel as the material being advanced bythe chain-conveyors 32. During this compression, the material will be compressed from above and below so that its vertical center will correspond substantially with the vertical center ofthe uncompressed material and so as to prevent 'disarrangement `of the material and the springs therein. 'I'he compressor-chains deliver the compressed massto the lower reach of the upper, and the upper reach of the lower, spout chain-conveyors, which will advance the compressed material into the casing and force the filled portion of the Vcasing away from the spout until the casing has been completely filled. In this operation the material is definitely, continuously, and uniformly advanced by the chain-conveyors which are spaced apart transversely. The compressed material will be definitely advanced by the spout-conveyors with a uniform density, so the material will be uniformly delivered into the casing. When it is desired to change the operative width of they machine for mattresses of different width, it is only necessary for the operator to rotate shaft 91. by` means of a crank applied thereto, which will vary the transverse spacing between the carriers and conveyor-chains equidistantly and vsimultaneously. The sides 45 and 10 whichretain the material on the conveyors will be adjusted transversely simultaneously with the carriers so that the operator can stand close to the sides of the machine and conveniently place the filling-material in the receiving-section `of the macliine.` `When the operator desires to set the machine for a mattress of different thickness, it is only necessary to rotate shaft |35 by means of a crank to raise or lower the upper conveyors and carriers as desired.

The invention is not to be understood as re-` stricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing form the spirit and scope of the invention'.

Having thus described the invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. In a machine for lling mattresses, the combination of a supporting frame, means for holding a mattress-casing in position to be filled with a mass of material, means for compressing and delivering the compressed filling material into the casing comprising a series of longitudinally movable conveyors for engaging and advancing the mass of filling material, the conveyors having transverse open spaces between them and being sufiicient in number to retain and convey the' mass along and over the open spaces, and means for driving the conveyors to deliver the material vancing the mass of filling material, the con-` veyors having transverse open spaces between them and being sufficient in number to retain and convey the mass over and along the open spaces, and means for driving the conveyors to deliver thematerial into the casing.

3. In a machine for filling mattresses, the

combination of a supporting frame, means forholding a mattress-casing in position to be filled Ywith a mass of material, means for compressing and delivering the compressed filling material into the casing comprising a series of longitudinal carriers, a series of endless chains mounted on, and confined in, said carriers, re-

spectively, for engaging and advancing the mass of filling material, the carriers having transverse open spaces between them, and being sutlicient in number to retain and convey the material over and along the open spaces, and means for driving the chains to deliver the material into the casing.

4. A machine of the character described, comprising the combination of a supporting frame, a series ci longitudinally movable conveyors for engaging and advancing a mass of filling material, said conveyors having transverse open spaces between them, being suilicient in number to retain and convey the mass of material at the open spaces between the conveyors and being transversely adjustable in the frame to vary the spacing between them for filling casingsof diierent widths, means for driving the conveyors., and means for delivering the material into a casing.

5. A machine of the character described, comprising the combination of a supporting frame, a series of longitudinally movable endless conveyors for engaging and advancing a mass of lling material, said conveyors having transverse open spaces between them, being suiicient in number to retain and convey the mass of material at the open spaces between the conveyors and being transversely adjustable in the frame to vary the spacing between them for lling casings of different widths, means for driving the conveyors, and means for delivering the material into a casing.

6. A machine of the character described, comprising the combination of a supporting frame, a series of longitudinal carriers, longitudinal conveyor-chains mountedon said carriers, respectively, for engaging and advancing a mass of iilling material, said conveyors and carriers having transverse open spaces between them, being suiiicient in ntunber to retain and convey the mass of material at the open spaces between the conveyors and being transversely adjustable in the frame to vary their spacing for lling casings of dierent widths, means for driving the conveyors, and means for delivering the material into a casing.

'7. A machine of the character described, comprising the combination of a supporting frame, a series of longitudinally movable conveyors for engaging and advancing a mass of lling material, said conveyors having transverse open spaces between them and being suflicient in number to retain and convey the mass of material at the open spaces between the conveyors, mechanism for driving the conveyors to advance the filling, means for simultaneously and equidistantly adjusting the conveyors transversely to vary their spacing for casings of diierent widths, and means for delivering the lling material into the casmg.

8. A machine of the character described, comprising the combination of a supporting frame, a series of longitudinal endless conveyors for engaging and advancing a mass of iilling material, said conveyors having transverse open spaces between them and being suncient in number to retain and convey the mass or" material at the open spaces between the conveyors, mechanism for driving the conveyors to advance the lling, means for simultaneously and equi'distantly adjusting the conveyors transversely to uniformly vary their spacing for casings of different widths, and means for delivering the filling material into a casing.

9. A machine of thecharacter described, vcomprising the combination of a supporting frame,

longitudinal carriers supported by the frame, longitudinally movable conveyors individually mounted on the carriers for engaging and advancing filling material, the carriers and conveyors having transverse open spaces between them and being sufficient in number to retain and convey the mass of material at the open spaces between the conveyors, means for transversely and conjointly adjusting the carriers and conveyors to vary their spacing for casings of different widths, mechanism for driving the conveyors to advance the material, and means for delivering the material into a casing.

l0. A machine of the character described, comprising the combination of a supporting frame, a series of longitudinal carriers supported by the frame, longitudinally movable endless conveyors separately mounted on the carriers for advancing a mass of filling material, the carriers having transverse open spaces between them, the carriers and conveyors being suiicient in number to retain and convey the mass of material at the open spaces between the conveyors, means for transversely adjusting the carriers and conveyors to vary their spacing for casings of different widths, mechanism for driving the conveyors to advance the material, and means for delivering the material into a casing.

l1. A machine of the character described, comprising the combination of `a series of lower longitudinally movable conveyors for engaging and advancing lling material, upper and lower series of longitudinally movable conveyors for compressing material, the conveyors of all of said series having transverse open spaces between them and being sufiicient in number to retain and convey the mass of material at the open spaces, means adapted to extend into and deliver the material into a casing, individual longitudinally extending supports for the conveyors respectively with cor-y responding spaces between them and means for driving all of the conveyors.

12. A machine of the character described, comprising the combination of a series of longitudinal endless conveyors for engaging and advancing lling material, upper and lower series of longitudinal endless conveyors for compressing material, the series of advancing conveyors and the upper and lower compressor conveyors having transverse open spaces between them and being sufcient in number to retain and convey the mass of material at the open spaces, means adapted to extend into and deliver the material into a casing, individual longitudinally extending supports for the conveyors respectively with corresponding spaces between them and means for driving all of the conveyors.

13. A machine of the character described, comprising the combination of a series of longitudinally movable lower conveyors for engaging and advancing lling material, upper and lower series of longitudinally movable conveyors for compressing the material, longitudinally movable conveyors adapted to extend into and deliver the material into a casing, all of the conveyors having transverse open spaces between them and being sufficient in number to retain and convey the mass of material at the open spaces individual longitudinally extending supports for the conveyors respectively with corresponding spaces between them and means for driving all of the conveyors.

14. A machine of the character described, com- B i Y 2,110,359

prising the combination lof a series of longitudinal endless conveyors for engaging and advancing filling material, `upper and lower series of longitudinal endless conveyors for compressing ma` terial, longitudinal endless `conveyors adapted to l extend into and deliver the material into a cas- Y ing, all of the conveyors having transverse spaces between them and being suiiicient in number to retain and convey the mass of material at the open spaces between `the conveyors, individual longitudinally extending supports for the conveyors respectively with corresponding spaces between them and means for driving all :of the conveyors.

15. A machine of the vcharacter, described, `comprisingthe combination of a series of transverselyspaced longitudinally movable lower conveyors for engaging and advancing iilling material, upper and lower series of transversely-spaced longitudinallymovableconveyors for compressing the material, transversely spaced longitudinally movable conveyors adapted to extend into and rdeliver the'material into a casing, means for `conjointly adjustingthe several-series of conveyors to vary their spacing for casings of different width, `and means for driving vall of the conveyors.

16. A machine of Vthev character described,icom

prising the combination of a series of transverselyspaced longitudinal endless conveyors Afor engagingA and advancing filling material, upper and lower vseries of ltransversely-spaced longitudinal endlessconveyors lfor'compressing the material, transversely spaced longitudinal endless conveyorsadaptedto extend into and deliver thematerial into a casing, means for -conjointly -adjusting` the several seriesof conveyors to vary their spacing for casings of different width, 'andmeans for driving all of the fconveyors.

17. A machine of thek character described, comprising the combination of a-supporting-frame, a series of longitudinally-operated receiving-conveyors, :a series of longitudinally-operating `compressor-conveyors, afseries` Aoi spout-conveyors, a series of separate carriers-in whichfthe 'longitudinelly-aligned conveyors of the three series `are mounted, mechanism for adjusting the carriers transversely for casings of-diiierent widths, `and mechanism :for driving the conveyors. I

. 18. A machine of thecha-racter described, comprising the combination of'a supporting-frame, a

Y series of longitudinally-operated receiving-conveyors, series of upper and lower longitudinally# operating compressor-conveyors, series of upper and lower spout-conveyors, `a series of separate carriers in which the,longitudinally-aligned conveyors of the receiving and lower compressor and spout conveyors are mounted, a series of separate carriers-in which the conveyors of the upper-compressor and spout-conveyors are mounted, mechanism for simultaneously Iadjusting the carriers transversely for casings of different widths, and mechanism for driving the conveyors.

19. InV a machineof the. character described, the combination of `a vsupporting-frame, a conveyor-section supported by the frame, for receiving the lling material, coacting upper and 'lower conveyors for compressing the material, the lower being inclined upwardly from thereceiving-section, `the upper beingV correspondingly inclined downwardly from the receiving-section, a -spoutsection .into which the vcompressed material is delivered, andfmeans for driving the compressor-- conveyors. I

20. In a machine of the character described, the combination vof a supporting-frame, ya conveyor-section supported by the frame for receiving the iilling material, series `of transverselyspaced coacting endless upper and lower conveyors for compressing the material, the lower kbeing inclined upwardly from the receiving-sec- .r

tion, the upper being correspondingly inclined downwardly from the receiving-section, a spoutsection into which the compressed material is delivered, 'and means for' driving the compressorconveyors. y

21. A machine of thecharacter describedfcomprising the combination of a supporting-frame,

` means for receiving filling-material and advancing it longitudinally, compressing-means to which the material is delivered, series of longitudinal driven upper and lower conveyors forming a spout and adapted tofextend and deliver the material into a mattress-casing, the-conveyors forming the spout having transverse open spaces between them and being suicient in number to vretain and convey the mass of material at the open spaces, and mechanism for driving said conveyors.

22. A machine of the character described, comprising the combination -of a supportingframe, means for receiving lling-materlal and advancing it longitudinally, compressing-means` to which'the material is delivered, series of longi.. tudi'nal driven upper and lowerendless 4conveyors forming a spout and adapted to extend and cie-` liver the material into a mattress-casing, the

conveyors forming the spout having transverse open spaces between them and being sumlcient in number to retain and convey'the mass of material at the open spaces, and mechanism for driving said Conveyors.

23. A machine of the character described, comprising the combination of a supporting-frame, means for receiving filling-material andv advancing it longitudinally, compressing-means tok which the material is deliveredfa 'series 'of upper and a series oflower longitudinal conveyors Iorminga spout 4and adapted to extend and deliver the material into ya mattress-casing, said conveyors having transverse 'open spaces Abetween them andl mattress-casing, the conveyors having transverse open spaces between them and Ibeing sufficient in number to retain and convey themass of material at the open spaces between the conveyors, means for vertically adjusting the upper conveyors for k iillingf mattresses of different thickness,and mechanism for driving said conveyors.' i.

`25. A machine of the `character described, comprising the combinationj of a supportingframe, a section for receiving the filling material, coacting upper andy lower chain-conveyors for compressing and advancing the materiaLthe lower of which is inclined upwardlyl from the receiving-section, and the upper of which isocrrespondingly` inclined downwardly from the receiving-section, meansfor driving the compressing-conveyors `and a spoutA to which the *compresser-conveyors `deliver material.

26. A machine of the character described, 'com prising the combination of a supporting-frame, a section for receiving the filling material, series of coacting upper and lower longitudinal transversely-spaced endless conveyors for compressing and advancing the material, the lower series being inclined upwardly from the receiving-section, the upper series being correspondingly inclined downwardly from the receiving-section, and means for driving the compressing-conveyors and a spout to which the compressor-conveyors deliver material.

2'7. A machine of the character described, comprising the combination of a supporting-frame, a bed for a mass of filling-material comprising transversely-spaced and transversely-adjustable longitudinally movable conveyor-members, transversely-movable sides for holding the material on the bed, means for conjointly adjusting the sides and the members for filling casings of different widths, and means for delivering the material into a casing.

28. A machine of the character described coinprising the combination of a supporting-frame, a bed for a mass of lling-material comprising transversely-spaced and transversely-adjustable lower and upper longitudinally movable conveyors, transversely-movab-le sides for holding the material on the bed, means for conjointly adjusting the sides and the conveyors for filling casings of different widths, and means for delivering the material into a casing.

29. A machine of the character described comprising the combination of a supporting-frame, a bed for a mass of filling material comprising upper and lower series of transversely-spaced and transversely-adjustable bars and longitudinal conveyor-members carried by the bars, upper and lower transversely-movable sides for holding the material, and attached to the outermost bars, means for conjointly adjusting the sides and the bars for filling casings of diierent widths, and means for delivering the material into a casing;

30. In a machine for filling mattresses, the combination of a supporting frame, means for holding a mattress-casing in position to receive a compressed mass of lling material, means for compressing ancl filling the casing with the material 'comprising longitudinally movable endless conveyor chains for engaging and advancingthefilling material, longitudinal bars for guiding the chains', respectively, the chains and bars having open and transverse spaces between them .and being sufficient in number to retain the mass of material at the open spaces, drive sprockets at -one end of the conveyor chains, narrow fixed members on the opposite ends of the bars for guiding the opposite looped ends of the conveyors, and means for driving the sprockets to advance the material into the casing.

31. In a machine for filling mattresses, the combination of a supporting frame, means for holding a mattress-casing in position to receive the filling material, means for compressing and lling the casing with the material comprising transversely spaced longitudinally movable endless conveyor chains for engaging and advancing the filling material, transversely spaced longitudinal bars for guiding the chains, respectively, the conveyor chains comprising rollers and links, the bars having tracks engaged by the rollers, and flanges at the outer sides of the links, and mechanism for conjointly driving the chains to advance the material.

32. In a machine for filling mattresses, the combination of a supporting frame, means for holding a mattress-casing in position toreceive the filling material, means for compressing and filling the casing with the material comprising transversely spaced longitudinally movable endless conveyor chains for engaging and advancing the lling material, transversely spaced longitudinal bars for guiding the chains, respectively, the conveyor chains comprising rollers and links, the bars having tracks engaged by the rollers and channels in which the chain-links are held transversely, and mechanism for conjointly driving the chains to advance the material into the casing.

33. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination of a supporting-frame, lower transverselyadjustable, longitudinally-movable conveyors supported by the frame, upper' transversely-adjustable, longitudinally-movable conveyors, supporting-means for the upper conveyors supported for vertical movement by the frame, mechanism for raising and lowering the upper conveyors, upper and lower endless conveyors forming a spout for delivering material intoa casing, the lower spout-conveyors being supported by the frame, the upper spout-conveyors being movable with the Vertical supporting-means for the rst mentioned upper conveyors, mechanism for driving the conveyors, and mechanism for raising and lowering said supporting-means.

34. A mattress-filling machine comprising the combination of a supporting-frame, a section for receiving the filling comprising a longitudinallymovable conveyor, coacting upper and lower conveyors for compressing and advancing the material from the receiving-section, the lower or" which is inclined upwardly from the receiving-section, and the upper of which is inclined downwardly from the receiving-section, a spout to which theA compressor-conveyors deliver the material, mechanism for driving the receiving-conveyor, and mechanism for driving the compressing-conveyors at a higher rate of travel than the receivingconveyor to cause the material to move horizontally at a uniform rate of travel in the receivingsection and between the compressing-conveyors.

35. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination of a supporting frame, means for longitudinally advancing and compressing a mass of filling-material, upper and lower series of longitudinal endless substantially parallel conveyors forming a spout adapted to extend and ldeliver the material into a mattress-casing, having transverse open spaces between them, sufficient in number to support the mass of material between the conveyors, and transversely adjustable to vary the spacing between them for lling casings of different widths, and mechanism for driving said conveyors.

36. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination of a supporting frame, means for longitudinally advancing and compressing a mass of filling-material, upper and lower series of longitudinal endless substantially parallel conveyors forming a spout adapted to extend and deliver the material into a mattress-casing, having transverse open spaces between them, suicient in number to support the mass of material between the conveyors, and transversely adjustable to vary the spacing between them for lling casings of diierent widths, mechanism for equidistantly and conjointly adjusting the conveyors transversely, and mechanism for'driving said conveyors.

37. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination of a supporting frame, means for longitudinally advancing and compressing a mass of mung-material, upper" andflo'werV series of ln gitudinal endless substantiallyV parallel 'conveyors forming a spout, adapted vto extend and deliver the material into a mattress-casing, having transverse open spaces between them, sufficient inl number to support the mass of material between them, individual longitudinal guides for the spout conveyors, and mechanism. for driving said conveyors. l v

38. In a mattress-lling machine, the combination of a supporting frame,- means for longitudinally advancing andA compressing a mass of filling-material, upper and lower series of longitudinal endless substantially parallel conveyors forming a spout adapted to deliver the material into the casing, having transverse open spaces between them suicient in number to support the mass of material between the conveyors,l and transversely adjustable in the frame to Vary the spacing between them for lling casings of different widths, individual longitudinal guides for, and adjustable with, the 'spout-conveyors, and mechanism for driving said conveyors.

`39. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination of a supporting frame, means for longitudinally advancing and compressing a mass of lling-materiaL upper and lower series of longitudinal' endless substantially parallel chains forming a'spout adapted to rdeliver' the material into the casing, having transverse openspaces between them, sumcient in number to support the mass of material between the conveyors, individual supporting bars having channels for the conveyors, xed narrow guides on the outer endsy of the bars around which the chains are looped,

' and mechanism for driving said chains. Y

^ moving reaches of the chains are guided, respectively, and mechanism for driving the chains.

JOSEPH W. DROLL. ALEX H. oLsoN. 

